September 20, 2023

Reps. Barbara Lee and Chip Roy Lead Call for Speaker McCarthy to Hold Vote on 2002 AUMF

Washington, DC – Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Chip Roy (R-TX-21) today led a bipartisan group of members in a letter to Speaker McCarthy calling for a vote on legislation to repeal the Authorizations for the use of Military Force (AUMFs) by the end of the month.

The lawmakers are joined by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), and Jim McGovern (D-MA-02).

Thank you for your commitment to bring legislation to the House floor in September 2023 that would repeal outdated Authorizations for the use of Military Force (AUMFs). We write to urge you to begin this process by scheduling S. 316 and H.R. 4445 for a vote in the House during September 2023,” the lawmakers wrote.

They continued, “We appreciate your commitment to act to reclaim the founders’ intended role for Congress’ on matters of war and peace. We support the conversation underway, led by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to move beyond the outdated and overly broad 2001 AUMF (Public Law 107-40) passed in the immediate wake of the 9/11 attacks. While this conversation proceeds, it cannot be allowed to delay the repeal of other outdated AUMFs. The President has made clear to Congress that the 2002, 1991, and 1957 AUMFs do not provide authority for any current military operations. The most recent of these AUMFs was adopted more than two decades ago. Only forty-four current Members of the House were here to vote on the 2002 AUMF. Each day that these outdated AUMFs remain on the books undermines the framers’ intent for Congress to determine when and how America goes to war, and further alienates Americans from their right to inform Congress’ decisions on these matters.”

To read the full text of the letter, click here.